New England Revolution
December 12, 2012. Today’s really just another Wednesday, right? Apparently not.
There seems to be a lot of to-do about it being 12/12/12 for the first and only time in 100 years.
So, we’ll jump in and recognize the Revolution’s own 12s. Do you think you can you name them all (without looking below)?
We did a bit of research yesterday for boston.com, who listed the city’s five team’s most recent – and most famous – 12s. By our calculations, there have been only three seasons in which the number 12 was not worn: 2002, 2009 and 2012.
First, and probably foremost, was Joe-Max Moore. Do you remember that he wore #12 in his first two seasons with the Revs? While he’s more recognizable to Revs faithful in his iconic #9, Joe-Max wore number 12 in 1996 and 1997. He only switched to #9 in 1998.
David Nakhid, a Trinidadian defender, then wore #12 in 1998, followed by Kris Kelderman in 1999. In 2000, Adam Eyre wore 12, proceeded by Alan Woods in 2001.
As noted, 2002 – the year in which the Revs made their case on a national stage with their first appearance in MLS Cup – no one wore 12. However, Malian defender Daouda Kante wore 12 in 2003 and 2004. (Jay Heaps remembered Daouda wearing it when we quizzed him yesterday.)
After what could be called an identity crisis between 1998 and 2004 with five players wearing it in six years, the number 12 finally found a regular home in 2005 when back-up goalkeeper Doug Warren took the kit, wearing it through the 2008 season.
Since it was used as a goalkeeper number for so long, it was another year before a field player took over #12 – Cory Gibbs in 2010. Rookie Alan Koger donned #12 in 2011 and is the most recent player to wear it.
With that quick review of our number 12s, how many do you remember and who is your favorite?
MLSSoccer.com has compiled all 37 goals the Revolution scored in 2012. Which ones were your favorites?
Okay so they weren't real houses. But on this past Tuesday, Dec. 4, Darrius Barnes and Clyde Simms participated in The Home for Little Wanderers' 4th Annual Gingerbread Decorating Competition. The pair teamed up with Mandarin Oriental BostonPastry Chef Oralia Perez, Boston Magazine's Leah O'Brien and four local children. At the conclusion of the event, the team received the "Most Realistic" award. Check out the photos below.
Had to put my construction management degree to work this morning @nerevolution @thehomeorg #funfun twitter.com/ClydeSimms19/s…
— Clyde Simms (@ClydeSimms19) December 4, 2012
There have been a lot of questions and comments around the Revs' decision to decline the options of several players, including midfielder Benny Feilhaber. Jeff Lemieux gives a pretty solid explanation of everything that goes into a team decision on a player's contract and more in this week's podcast.
I’ll readily admit I don’t watch much college soccer throughout the course of the regular season, but I do vividly recall watching last year’s NCAA College Cup. In particular, I remember being wowed by UCLA’s second goal in a 2-2 draw (and subsequent penalty shootout loss) to the eventual national champion North Carolina Tar Heels in one of the semifinals.
A dynamic sophomore midfielder named Kelyn Rowe played a one-two at the top of the box with forward Chandler Hoffman before slicing through the UNC defense and deftly chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. Analyst Taylor Twellman called it “a special goal from a special player.”
Immediately I thought, “That kid’s good.”
One month later I found myself interviewing “that kid” after the Revs drafted him with the third overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Of course, Rowe went on to become a regular in the Revolution’s lineup during his rookie season, notching three goals and a team-leading five assists in 30 appearances. Safe to say he’ll be an integral part of New England’s young core heading into 2013.
Players like Rowe are why you should be watching when the 2012 NCAA College Cup unfolds this weekend in Hoover, Ala. The semifinals kick off on Friday, Dec. 7, with No. 2 Maryland taking on No. 3 Georgetown at 5 p.m. ET, followed by No. 12 Creighton and No. 16 Indiana at 7:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be televised on ESPNU.
Friday’s winners will meet in the National Championship on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. ET, also on ESPNU. What were you going to do on Sunday afternoon? Watch American football? Come on.
Once again the Revs are slated to pick early in the SuperDraft as they currently hold the fourth overall selection in the 2013 edition, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17, in Indianapolis, Ind. They also hold three picks in the second round, so there’s a decent chance someone on the field in Alabama this weekend could end up wearing a Revolution jersey come January.
As a side note, I know many of you will be unable to watch Friday’s games live as the Midnight Riders are hosting their second annual FIFA Tournament at The Greatest Bar in Boston. In fact, I’ll be in that same boat. That’s why they invented DVR.
I’ll leave you with a clip of Rowe’s goal from last year’s NCAA College Cup …
So, who do we want to lose more? The team who beat us twice in previous MLS Cup Finals or the team who...um...oh yeah, nevermind. Since they both can't lose no matter how hard we wish, I guess if I had to pick one I'd take Houston, simply to see Steve Ralston earn a ring. In any case, I'll be watching (ESPN, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1). Will you?
Get an inside look at Revolution defender A.J. Soares.
Just in time for Thanksgiving - Matt Reis and his wife Nicole join Liz Bramwell on The Cooking Show at the Rustic Kitchen.
NOTE: Xfinity subscribers can watch this OnDemand, under Get Local/Entertainment/For Foodies.
When the youth schedule was first released earlier this year, the young Revs had no idea that their trip to Brooklyn, N.Y., would be just weeks after a devastating storm. Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc along the east coast at the end of October, with New York and New Jersey especially suffering significant damage.
We deviate from the norm on this week's show - by getting down and dirty with lots of stats and analysis. Revs team analyst Tim Crawford joins us and breaks down what he actually does for the team and more.